Ex-Lobo Toppin withdraws from draft, commits to Texas Tech

One of the most promising young big men in the University of New Mexico’s men’s basketball history is trading in his cherry gear for scarlet.

JT Toppin, a highly touted 6-foot-8 power forward who burst onto the scene as a true freshman for the Lobos during the 2023-24 season announced via social media Tuesday that he is signing with Texas Tech. He will have at least three years of eligibility remaining with the Red Raiders, a team that reached the 2019 national championship game.

Toppin, who is originally from Dallas, was reportedly also considering an offer from the University of Texas.

Although NIL (the Name, Image, Likeness rule) deals are not public, several sources on social media suggested he will make in the $1 million range with Texas Tech.

Toppin surprised many Lobos fans when he entered the NCAA transfer portal just hours before the April 30 deadline. It followed his one and only season in a UNM uniform.

He was named co-freshman of the year in the Mountain West Conference after averaging 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and leading the league in both blocked shots (68) and field goal percentage (62.3).

Considered an NBA prospect, upon entering the portal he declared himself eligible for the June 26 draft and was invited to the draft combine in Chicago from May 12-19. By all reports, he performed well, earning praise as a potential draft steal.

While first-round picks are offered guaranteed contracts of at least two years — plus an additional two years of club options — players selected after the first round receive no such built-in assurances unless they’re negotiated into their deals with the NBA club that picks them.

Toppin’s loss is profound for UNM. He was a starter all season, developing a marquee game around a lineup that included seasoned UNM center Nelly Junior Joseph. Together the pair were among the best big men in the Mountain West and were a major factor in the team winning the conference tournament and making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade.

UNM coach Richard Pitino lost three players to the portal. Guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. will use his year of graduate eligibility to play next season at Temple while 7-foot backup center Sebastian Forsling announced recently he is leaving the college ranks to play professionally in Europe.

The Lobos have signed four players off the portal thus far: forwards Ibrahima Sacko (Georgia Tech) and Filip Borovicanin (Arizona), guard C.J. Noland (North Texas) and center Atiki Ally Atiki (Brigham Young).